MOGADISHU, Somalia – In a bold move to enhance national security, the National Center for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (Tubsan) has launched a program aimed at increasing women’s roles in Somalia’s armed forces. The initiative highlights the critical contributions women can make to peacebuilding, intelligence, and community engagement.
At a recent workshop in Mogadishu, female officers from the police, national army, and custodial corps gathered to receive specialized training, exchanging ideas on how women can actively shape security efforts on the frontlines. Tubsan Director Ali Yasin Gurbe emphasized that excluding women from security structures leaves significant vulnerabilities.
“A security system without women is incomplete,” Gurbe told the participants. “Your involvement strengthens national defense and builds trust between communities and security forces.”
The program reflects the government’s understanding that military operations alone cannot dismantle extremist networks. By addressing the social and ideological drivers of radicalization, women are uniquely positioned to spot early warning signs, mediate local conflicts, and foster cooperation in areas where security forces face resistance.
Participants received training in leadership, community engagement, and identifying risks of radicalization, while also confronting the challenges women often face in a male-dominated field.
Officials say this initiative is part of a broader, inclusive strategy to counter violent extremism, blending community insight with operational security—an approach Somalia is increasingly relying on as it continues the fight against Al-Shabaab and works to stabilize affected regions.